Showing Favorites

Showing favorites
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:8-13.
Do you or the congregation you attend show favourites? Think carefully about it.     
Here’s some scenario’s for you to think about.
1/ If a man, or woman, living on the street dressed in dirty clothing. Someone who may have not had a shower in a few days came into your church congregation how would he or she be greeted?
2/If a man, or woman impeccably dressed wearing expensive clothing entered your church congregation how would they be met?
3/If a man or woman dressed in blue jeans, tee shirt and flip flops entered your congregation how would they be greeted?
4/ If two gay men or women, entered your church holding hands how would they be greeted?
Now think of this. All these people are in need of the love of God. How you react to these people could very well determine where they may spend eternity.
Jesus never showed favouritism. He interacted with all people, Samaritans, Tax collectors, Roman soldiers, Jews, and Non-Jews.
Jesus said,
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
Jesus who had the right to judge them never did. He realized his job on this earth was to save souls.
John’s gospel quotes Jesus speaking of himself as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world.” John 3:16,17.
Speaking to his disciples and through them to us today Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
One of the things Jesus taught us was,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
So think of things this way. If you were to enter a church congregation would you want to be judged for the way you looked or what you are?
Or would you want to hear the unadulterated word of God presented to you in a loving way? Showing you the way to heaven?
Please think about it.

What would you do?

What would you do?
From time to time I like to poke believers in Christ Jesus with a pointy stick. To make them think about things that are hot button issues in some church congregations. This is one of those days.
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16
The scenario I present for your consideration is this story,
“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and prayed. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest steps, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Doran and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  
I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
Question,
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus how would you vote?
How do you think the congregation you belong to would react?
The position she was seeking aside. Would this person be accepted in the congregation you attend?
Please think about it.

Two Groups

Two Groups
The book of Acts records these two incidents in the life of the apostle Paul.
“When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.  
As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,  explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,’” he said.  
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. 
But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.  
But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”  
When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.  Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. 
As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.  
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  
Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 
When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.  
The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.  
The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. Acts 17:1-15.
Here is an illustration of how two types of people receive the message of Jesus Christ even today.
In Thessolonica as was his custom when in any city the apostle Paul went on the Sabbath to the synagogue and presented the message of Christ. As a result both Jew and God fearing Greeks believed what he had to say including some prominent people.
However there were those who it seems, vehemently opposed what Paul said. Thus they resorted to violence. Which in turn caused Paul and his companion Silas to leave the city.
Paul and his companion Silas then went to Berea where the book of Acts notes,
    “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  
Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”Acts 17:11,12.
The Bereans not only welcomed Paul and Silas, but they received the message of the Gospel of Christ Jesus with eagerness and they “examined the Scriptures every day to see what Paul said was true”
The Bereans set an example for all who would hear the message of Jesus Christ.
While Christianity is a religion of faith. It does not require blind faith. True believers in Christ be they evangelist, pastors, teachers, or simply people sitting in the pew do not expect those they present Christ to, to have blind faith.
They challenge the one who hears the message of Jesus to read the scriptures for themselves to see for themselves if it is true or not. Then make an informed decision whether or not to follow Jesus.
 By contrast there were those in Thessalonians that  believed that the message of Jesus Christ was wrong and resorted to violence to prevent Christ message from being spread. And not content to stop them in their own city they went to Berea. The book of Acts recording,
“When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.” Acts 17:13.
Such things are still happening today. There is a wide spectrum of people in the world that are opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 At one extreme are radical religious, terrorist, and even political groups that persecute and even murder believers in Christ for their beliefs.
At the other end of that same spectrum are those who for the most part, speak peacefully but strongly against believers in Jesus Christ  Atheist groups and others who mock and decry believers in Christ in the media. They say they know what is right, and try in a peaceful but forceful way to prevent the salvation message of Jesus Christ from spreading. Even at times resorting to the court system to get their way.
Ultimately however it is up to the individual to decide for themselves the truth about Jesus Christ and the Salvation He offers. In order to do that the individual needs to read particularly the New Testament for themselves. To look at what the early believers in Christ believed and what true believers in Christ today believe. Then make an informed decision for themselves.
Please think about it.